Clutch and bearing construction



sept. 17, 1946'. A Y, DODGE 2,407,772

Filed /T e 'I' 7 a@e,

Patented Sept. 17, 1946 UNITED STATES PATmVr OFFICE 11 claims. l

This invention relates to clutch andbearing construction and more particularly to a device for connecting two coaxial races for free rotation in one direction and for locking them against relative rotation in the opposite direction.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a clutch and bearing construction in which continuous race surfaces, preferably cylindrical, are connected by a bearing unit for free rotation and by tiltable grippers for driving connection in one direction and in which the operation of the grippers is not aected by the drag of the bearings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein grippers and bearings working between the same continuous surfaces are supported by cages mounted closely adjacent in a, minimum space but capable of independent rotation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clutch construction in which tiltable grippers are both supported in a cage and urged to gripping position by elongated springs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clutch construction in which tiltalble grippers are held in a cage by annular springs engaging grooves in the ends of the grippers, the springs being held in position by the sides of the cage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clutch construction in which tiltable grippers are held in a cage and are evenly urged into engagement with the races by annular spring means secured in the cage at spaced points and passing through openings in the grippers.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, ln which- Figure 1 is an axial section with parts in elevation of a clutch and bearing construction embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure Bis a side elevation of a bearing roller;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of a. bearing roller;

Figure 5 is a partially enlarged section illustrating the mounting of the bearing rollers in their cage;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a gripper;

Figure 7 is a partial transverse section of an alternative clutch construction according to the invention;

Figures 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating the l construction ofthe bearing rollers; and

Figure d0 is a view similar to Figure 'l of an alternative construction.

. The unit illustrated in Figure 1 is adapted to connect an outerrace I0 having a cylindrical inner working surface II to an inner race I2 having a complementary outer cylindrical surface I3. It will be understood that either race may be the driving member and ythat the races may be arranged for free rotation in either direction as desired.

In order to connect the races for free rotation, a bearing unit is Imounted therebetween comprising a series of bearing rollers I4 shaped as best seen in Figures 3 and 4. Each ofthe rollersis of short axial length relative to its diameter and is preferably of a length about one-half of its diameter. I have found that any length greater than one-half the diameter does not increase the load carrying capacity of the roller which is optimum when the roller length is approximately one-half or slightly less than one-half its diameter. The end surfaces of the roller as shown at I5 are substantially flat and parallel to form supporting and guiding surfaces and its side surface as shown at I6 is slightly barrelled. The radius of the side surface I6 in a plane passing through the roller axis is preferably several times greater than its radius in a plane transverse to the axis so that the roller will act in effect very much like a ball of large diameter insofar as its bearing surface on the races is concerned, while occupying only a fraction of the space required by such a ball.

The rollers are supported in an annular. cage I1 shown as formed of sheet metal channel shaped in cross section with parallel sides I8 and a web portion I9 formed with openings of slightly smaller circumferential length than the diameter of the rollers so that the rollers are separated by spaced parts of the web connecting the side portions. The side portions I8 have a running t on the inner race and t closely against the at ends I5 of the rollers to support and guide the rollers. When not assembled between races, the rollers are held in the cage by engagement with the ends of the openings in the web I9 against radial outward movement and are prevented from moving radially inward in the cage by inwardly bent parts of the side portions I8 as shown at 2| to form inwardly extending projections engageable with such as to limit tiltingv of the rollers to an amount which will not cause excessive tightening er binding. It is also necessary that the cage be supported independently of the rollers and for this purpose the cage flanges form a close running nt on the inner cylindrical race. I have found that the maximumpermissible clearance between the roller ends and the cage sides may be calculated as follows, referring to Figures 8 and 9:

Let r=radius of roller at right angles to roller axis and in the plane of rotation.

Let c=clearance between roller and races. Let ziclearance at one side of roller between roller and cage.

Let n=heignt of chord of are formed by" it through angle 1/2 15. Let =any angle of tilt of roller.

vhet H=height of cage.

Let d= 212 Let YD`=the diameter of roller in a plane 90 to the plan of rotation, through angle fp.

'must be `an amount less than ythe amount which will allow roller to lean to an extent Where D=2r+c. SoVD must be less than 2121-0.

, Therefore vInust be less Ythan Zr-l-c, e controls the extent of d tangent 0f While the maximum clearance 2a. which will control the rollers properly is expressed by the above equation, I prefer to design the rollers and cage to provide a clearance 2z about half that ary 4, 1944. l

The races are connected by a one-way clutch comprising a series of tiltable grippers 22 which may be of the type more particularly described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 479,695, filed April 19, 1943. The grippers as best seen in Figure 6 are formed with transverse grooves 23 in their opposite ends forming openings extending transversely through the grippers for a purpose to appear hereinafter.

The grippers are supported in an annular cage 24 which may be formed of sheet metal channel shaped incross section to provide side rings 25 'lttrltv closely adjacent the ends of the grippers land having openings in its web through which Let R=radius of roller at right angles to roller i ca'nnot be accldently removed from the Cage in axis and in a plane 90 to the plane of rotation.y

either radial direction. At the same time the Ygrooves Y23 are so shaped that the spring 2B Will engage the grippers adjacent one end of the groov'eas seen in Figure 2 and will tend to tilt vtilted so that they scuff the races.

the grippers to a position in which they engage the races,-

VThe gripper cage is assembled as seen in Figure 1 closely adjacent-thebearing cage but is detachedtherefrom `so that it can rotate `relative-thereto. In voper-ation, when the Vgripper-s are overrunningthe bearing cage will be turned due to centrifugal force exerted by the grippers on this race. At vthis time sliding action between the -inner ends ofthe gripper and the inner race is minimum so that the two races can turn relatively freely. Upon a reversalof direction the -grippers-will Vbe Ytilted to engaged position to preorder to guide `the rollers. The bearingy rollers are identical with those described above and `have been given the same reference numeralsjbut vare supported in an annular cage having conical parallel sides 2.9 connected by av web portion 3| at right angles 'to the sides., With this cage construction, the bearing Arollers willbe held at an angle as shown sQtnat-vthey are capable of ab- 'sorbin'g envd't'hrust as well as straight radial load. t

character the, action mOre nearly simulates that 'ha/vegf'ound thatwith bearing' rollers of' this 0f a ball than 0f a roller and that the rollers can easily beguided by a ,slight guide pressure. Since their contact With the races `is confined to the central portion 'they can easily be guided by a light side jpressurevand will vnot ytend-to Vbecome Thus a minimum of end thrust in the bearing operation is developed and narrow rollers occupying a minimum of' space can be employed .to'carry relatively large bearing loads.

Figure 'l illustrates an alternativeA clutch construction similar to ythat of Figure v2 and parts therein 'cerrespvndinsto Ylike parts .in Figure 2 fhavebeen indicated' by :the same 'reference 11u- `rnera ls. In' .this construction,I inorder to hold .the springs in the cage and `to insure uniform 4action thereof on the grippers, rigidsuppgrtsare provided in the cage .to engage the springs 'and to i'ix their position in the cage at spaced points.

As shown, the'supports are formed by cross rods 32 riveted or otherwise fastened rigidlyl in the cage and underlying the springs 26. The Arods 32 are provided between alternate pairs of grippers so that' the spring is uniformly supported throughout its length and will exert a uniform the same load in engaged position. Otherwise the clutch operation is substantially the same as that of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure illustrates a construction similar to that of Figure 7 and parts therein corresponding to like parts in Figure 7 have been designatedby the same reference numerals. In this construction the cage 24 is formed with its channel section opening outward and with its sides 25 having a running fit on the outer race. The grippers 22 are inserted from the outside and are held in place and urged to tilt by an annular spring 26 which tends to contract to urge the grippers inward. The ends .of ythe spring may be overlapped sfufllciently to form a complete annulus when it is assembled in the cage and cross rods 32 overlie the spring between alternate pairs of grippers to provide uniform spring action on the grippers as explained in connection with Figure 7.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that .these are illustr-ative only and are not to be .taken as a denition of the scope, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combined clutch and bearing construction comprising inner and outer races having coaxial continuous facing surfaces, a series of anti-friction rollers between the surfaces connecting lthe races for free relative rotation, a .cage for .the rollers supporting them in spaced relation between the race surfaces, a series of tiltable grippers between the race surfaces tiltable in one direction to engage the surfaces and hold vthe races against relative rotation and in another direction to release the surfaces, and a cage for the grippers supporting them in spaced relation between the surfaces and'mounted adjacent but rotatable relative to the bearing cage.

2. A combined clutch and bearing construction comprising inner and outer races having coaxial cylindrical facing surfaces, a series of anti-frictionprollers between the surfaces connecting the races for free relative rotation, a cage for the rollers supporting them in spaced relation between the race surfaces, a series of tiltable grippers between the race surfaces tiltable in one direction to engage the surfaces and hold the races against relative rotation and in another direction to release the surfaces, and a cage for the grippers supporting them in spaced relation between the surfaces and mounted adjacent but rotatable relative to the bearing cage.

3. A combined clutch and bearing comprising inner and outer races having coaxial cylindrical facing surfaces, a series of bearing rollers between the surfaces relatively short with respect .to their diameter and with their working surfaces substantially barrel shaped, a cage for the bearings having side rings engaging the ends of the bearings to guide them and cross members lying between adjacent bearings to hold them spaced, a series of tiltable grippers between the surfaces beside the bearing cage, and a cage for the grippers supporting them in spaced relation between the surfaces and lying closely adjacent but rotatable relative to the bearing cage- 4. A combined clutch and bearing comprising inner and outer races having coaxial cylindrical facing surfaces, a series of bearing rollers betweenlthe surfaces relatively short with respect to their diameter and with their working surfaces substantially barrel shaped, a cage for the bearings having side rings engaging 'the ends of -the bearingsto guide' them and cross members Alying between adjacent bearings to hold them spaced, a series of tiltable grippers between the surfaces beside the lbearing cage, a cage for the grippers supporting them in spaced relation between the surfaces and lying closely adjacent but rotatable relative to the bearing cage, and means in .the gripper cage to hold .the grippers therein and to urge them yieldingly toward engaged position.

5. In a one-way clutch construction for connecting coaxial races, a series of tiltable grippers between the races each having a single transverse groove in its end, a cage having side rings lying closely adjacent the ends of the grippers and cross members rigidly connecting the side rings and lying between adjacent grippers to space them, and an annular spring fitting in the grooves in the gripper ends and held therein by the adjacent cage side ring to hold the grippers in the cage, the spring engaging each gripper adjacent one end of the groove therein to urge it to tilt in a direction to engage the races.

6. In a one-way clutch construction for connecting coaxial races, an annular cage of channel-shaped section having openings in its central portion, a series of tiltable grippers carried by the cage and projecting through the openings so that the edges of the openings space the grippers and limit tilting thereof, and an annular spring lying in the cage channel and passing through openings in the grippers to hold the grippers in the cage and to tilt them.

7. In a one-way clutch construction for connecting coaxial races, an annular cage of sheet material having a cylindrical central portion formed with spaced openings and inwardly extending side flanges, a series of tiltable grippers extending through the openings and projecting inwardly beyond the flanges, the flanges engaging the ends of the grippers to limit endwise movement thereof, and an annular spring lying between the anges and passing through openings in the `grippers to hold the grippers in the cage and to exert a tilting force thereon.

8. A one-way clutch for connecting inner and outer coaxial races comprising a series of tiltable grippers between the races having transverse openings therethrough, a cage supporting the grippers and having spaced cross members holding the grippers in spaced relationship, elongated spring means extending through the openings in the grippers and engaging the grippers adjacent one end of the openings to exert a tilting force thereon, and means rigid with the cage engaging and .supporting the springV means between adjacent grippers.

9. A one-way clutch for connecting inner and outer coaxial races comprising a series of tiltable grippers between the races having transverse openings therethrough, a cage supporting the grippers and having spaced cross members holding the grippers in spaced relationship, an annular spring extending through the openings and engaging the grippers adjacent one end thereof l www Verse .openings therethrough, a cage Supporting the grippers and having spaced cross members holding the grippers in spacedV relationshipyan annular spring extending through the .openings and engaging the grippers adjacent one end thereof to exert a tilting force thereon, and supporting means for the spring rigid With the ,cage and underlying the spring between alternate pairs of grippers.

11. A one-way clutch comprising inner and outer races having radially spaced cylindrical surfaces, a series of tiltable grippers between 8 Y theraces to engage the raee lsurfaces and cori nect the races,V the grippers having transversely extendingtopenings therein centrally of their radialwidths, and an annular spring of smaller radial thickness than the radialrextent of the openings extending therethrough and urging the grippers outward toward the outer race, the openings lying at such an angle that the springs engage one end thereof so that the outward spring force tends to tilt theugrippers ktoward their engaged positions. f y Y ADIEL Y. DODGE. 

